The Cancer Symptoms That Are Too Often Ignored

Unfortunately, while overall cancer survivorship rates are steadily increasing, research from the National Cancer Institute indicates cancer diagnosis rates are increasing, too. The number of people diagnosed with metastasized lung, colon, prostate, cervical, and uterine cancers is on the rise. And other cancers show no sign of fading away: nearly 1 million people annually are diagnosed with cancers of the thyroid, kidney, or pancreas.

Worse yet, due to the subtlety of certain cancers’ symptoms, many patients aren’t diagnosed until it’s too late. Before you let a cancer diagnosis completely change your life, make sure you know these commonly overlooked symptoms of cancer.

1

Weight loss

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Though you might be thrilled to see the number on the scale go down, if you’re not actively trying to lose weight, it could be a symptom that you’re dealing with cancer.

2

Bloating

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Is that bloated belly the result of those beers you drank last night—or something more sinister? If your stomach seems to be persistently protruding out of virtually nowhere, it’s time to talk to your doctor. Dr. Bilchik says that abdominal bloating is a common symptom of pancreatic cancer, and can also be associated with cancers of the uterus, colon, liver, and stomach.

3

Skin discoloration

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That golden tan you got on vacation might have you feeling like a million bucks, but if your skin’s hue is more orange or yellow than brown, you could be dealing with a serious health issue—specifically, a tumor that’s blocking the bile duct and causing bile to enter the bloodstream.

“That’s typically a bad sign because that usually indicates a more advanced cancer,” says Dr. Bilchik. “However, some people do have smaller cancers that block the bile duct, too, and they can be treated with surgery.”

4

Chronic cough

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While coughs are hardly uncommon, if you have one that simply won’t go away, it’s time to get a medical professional involved in your care. According to Dr. Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, a board-certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist and chair of the Department of Translational Neurosciences and Neurotherapeutics at the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, a chronic cough is often one of the first noticed symptoms of lung cancer.

5

Acid reflux

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While it’s estimated that up to 20 percent of the population will suffer from acid reflux at one point or another, a sudden onset of the condition without any changes in your diet merits a trip to the doctor, according to Dr. Bilchik. Tumors of the stomach, esophagus, and liver can all cause sudden-onset acid reflux, so before you bust out the Tums, call a doctor.

6

Memory trouble

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Though it’s true that many people find themselves struggling with their memory as they age, if your memory troubles come on suddenly, it could be a sign that something’s amiss in your brain. According to Dr. Kesari, one of the first symptoms people with brain tumors notice is memory loss that’s associated with neither age nor injury.

7

Yellowing in the eyes

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If the whites of your eyes have taken on a strangely golden hue, jaundice—potentially caused by cancer—could be to blame. Jaundice is most often caused by cancers of the liver, pancreas, and colon, none of which can wait for treatment.

8

Abdominal pain

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That cramping in your stomach may be more than just the result of having a few too many cheat days. “If you don’t typically have an issue with bloating and abdominal pain that’s not getting better, that’s a warning signal,” says Dr. Bilchik.

9

Loss of appetite

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While many people would gladly pay for a pill that knocks out their appetite for good, if you’re suddenly disinterested in food, it’s important to speak to a medical professional, as this could be a symptom of cancer. “Another concern is when people suddenly lose their appetite,” says Dr. Bilchik. “If someone suddenly doesn’t have an appetite for food or wine, there’s generally a reason. That in itself may warrant a workup.”

10

Skin lesions

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Those new, slow-to-heal marks on your skin could be more than just your average scrape. Dr. Kesari notes that irregular moles or spots are often signs of melanoma or basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas, while persistent rashes can also be a sign of lymphoma or leukemia.

11

Personality changes

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Our personalities may change with some frequency throughout our lives, but if that change comes out of nowhere, it’s time to check in with your doctor, says Dr. Kesari. Sudden personality changes can be a symptom of a brain tumor—and even if they’re not, they’re well worth investigating before your sudden irritability or anger has you pushing friends away.

12

Persistent headaches

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A headache that no OTC medication can soothe could be a symptom of cancer. According to Dr. Kesari, this pain is one of the telltale symptoms of a brain tumor—so if there’s no helping that pounding head, it’s time to speak to a medical professional stat.

13

Weakness on one side of the body

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Sudden weakness on one side of the body is often associated with a stroke. However, don’t let this symptom slide just because your doctor has ruled out a cerebrovascular accident. Dr. Kesari reports that brain tumors can cause many of the same symptoms as strokes, including weakness relegated to one side of the body.

14

Numbness in the extremities

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A little numbness after coming in from the cold? No big deal. Feeling numb in your extremities with no explanation, however, warrants a trip to the doctor. According to Dr. Kesari, brain tumors can often cause numbness in the extremities, as can tumors of the pancreas, colon, and any metastases that cause nerve damage.

15

Speech problems

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If you’re noticing that you’re speaking strangely with no immediate apparent cause, it’s worth checking in with a doctor. Brain tumors—as well as cancers of the jaw, tongue, and throat—can all change your voice virtually overnight.

16

Fatigue

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It’s not exactly rare to find yourself exhausted at the end of a long day. However, if you find yourself extremely fatigued with no particular cause, there could be more than an excessive workload at play.

“Atypical fatigue that you can’t explain through depression, diet, exercise, whatever, especially if it persists for several weeks” could be a symptom of a variety of cancers, says Dr. Jack Jacoub, MD, a medical oncologist and the medical director of MemorialCare Cancer Institute.

17

A testicular mass

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Discovering a sudden lump on your testicle merits a doctor’s visit, according to Dr. Jacoub. Testicular cancer—the most common cancer among adult men under 35—often first becomes evident due to a testicular mass—and since time is of the essence when it comes to treatment, it’s essential to get it checked out ASAP.

18

Nosebleeds

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If you find that your nose is suddenly spewing blood with no discernible cause, it’s worthwhile to speak to a doctor. “Nosebleeds or bruising can be seen with low blood counts, as well as bone marrow disorders and leukemia,” says Dr. Jacoub.

19

Swollen lymph nodes

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Virtually any illness or infection can cause swollen lymph nodes—including cancer. “Swollen lymph nodes that are not tender can be explained by an infection, but they do need to be checked out if they don’t resolve,” says Dr. Jacoub.

20

Fever

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A low-grade fever can actually be a good sign, as it lets you know your body is working properly to fight off infection. However, if that fever doesn’t go away, it’s important you see your doctor. In some cases, this could be a sign that your body is fighting off invading cancer cells.

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